Ezra Jack Keats

Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983) was an American writer and illustrator of children's books, best known for The Snowy Day, which won the 1963 Caldecott Medal and is considered one of the most important American books of the 20th century. Born Jacob Ezra Katz to Polish-Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn, he changed his name in 1947 to escape anti-Semitism and became one of the first children's authors to feature African American characters as main protagonists. He authored and illustrated more than 85 books for children throughout his career.